Oceana and NRDC Join Forces to Address Gulf Drilling Disaster
Press Release Date: June 8, 2010
Location: Washington, DC/Los Angeles
Contact:
Anna Baxter | email: abaxter@oceana.org
Anna Baxter
In the wake of the April 20 Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling disaster that has spewed millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico for over a month, Victoria Principal has stepped forward with extremely generous six–figure donations to both Oceana and the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) to support their joint efforts in the Gulf.
“Because the Gulf Coast oil spill is the largest man-made environmental disaster our country has ever experienced, I felt that it would be impossible for any one organization to address the enormity of the problem,” said Principal. “By providing the funds to both Oceana and NRDC, it allows these two extraordinary non profits, to move away from competition and fundraising and to instead, marshal and focus their joint efforts around this monumental undertaking of problem solving and action. By forming this alliance, Oceana and NRDC, have provided an embryonic prototype for working together more quickly and successfully in the future. At the end of the day, we all want the same thing…to be of help,” she added.
Oceana and NRDC have led efforts to address the devastating consequences of offshore drilling. Principal’s donation will immediately ramp up a focused joint-venture to address the oil crisis damage, and will also support a shift in energy policy towards renewable resources.
“Offshore drilling is a dirty and nonrenewable source of energy,” said Oceana Chief Executive Officer Andrew Sharpless. “We know that offshore drilling is not the future. Thanks to the help of Victoria’s donation, Oceana and NRDC can work together to encourage policymakers to develop a real plan for a clean energy future.”
“The importance of this issue to everyone’s future means that we should work together,” said NRDC President Frances Beinecke. “We need to do more to avoid this type of disaster. We need to shift our energy policy in this country toward energy sources that are cleaner and renewable and that will not spill or run out.”
Since the initial explosion on April 20, on board the BP-owned Deepwater Horizon rig, where 11 rig workers lost their lives, the leak has spewed more than 17 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico at a rate over 12,000 barrels a day.
How to take immediate action:
Oceana’s “Stop the Drill” petition at Oceana.org/stopthedrill
Tell President Obama to lead the way to a clean energy future
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In 2006, Principal created a charitable Foundation that supports and unites Environmental Groups in their efforts. To date, she has given substantial amounts to support research and to aid various organizations in their outreach toward restoration and natural disaster victims.
About Oceana:
Oceana campaigns to protect and restore the world’s oceans. Our team of marine scientists, economists, lawyers and advocates win specific and concrete policy changes to reduce pollution and to prevent the irreversible collapse of fish populations, marine mammals and other sea life. Global in scope and dedicated to conservation, Oceana has campaigners based in North America, Europe and South and Central America. More than 300,000 members and e-activists in over 150 countries have already joined Oceana. For more information, please visit www.Oceana.org.
About NRDC:
The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has 1.3 million members and online activists, served from offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Beijing. www.nrdc.org
